A theme of the 2025 NHL draft for the Pittsburgh Penguins might be that of being in the passenger seat. They pick 11th, which means they largely have to wait and see who will fall to them when it’s their turn to pick. The Pens also have to sit and wait until up until tomorrow to find out the decision from the New York Rangers about the 12th overall pick. NYR can keep the pick, which would transfer their 2026 first rounder to Pittsburgh.
There are some elements of control, the Pens could always seek a trade up - but that would be dependent on another team willing to trade with them and move out of the top-10.